Page 57 of Ladybird

“I try to forget about that time in my life,” he told her. “Besides, what does it matter? It has no effect on the job I was hired to do here at Shrewsbury Castle.”

“What does it matter?” she repeated his words, shaking her head as she spoke. “It matters to me,” she told him, stopping and looking up with concern in her eyes.

“Regina, what can I say? I’m sorry. Sorry for not telling you and sorry that it is part of my dark past at all.”

“Dark past? Hunter, is there more you’re not telling me?”

“Nothing more other than the fact I was unwanted and unloved and could never be the person everyone else seemed to want me to be.”

“Oh, Hunter, I’m so sorry,” she said, dropping her hands to her side.

“Huh?” he asked in confusion, knowing he should be the one apologizing to her but now she was apologizing to him. None of this made sense.

“I accept you for who you are.” She smiled and walked over and took his hands in hers.

“Regina, please,” he said in a soft voice. “You don’t have to do this.”

“I cherish the time we spent together,” she continued. “I don’t regret making love with you, and I want you to know that I don’t care any longer about your past.”

“You—don’t?” He shook his head. “I thought you just said you were upset that I was a mercenary. That I pretended to be someone I wasn’t.”

“I know. I can’t even think straight because I am so worried about Lightning. Besides, I think I was just more upset by the fact that you didn’t tell me about it.”

“Regina, now you’re the one lying.” He looked down at her in a knowing manner.

“All right, I guess I am. Yes, it disturbs me horribly, but Sage helped me to realize that it wasn’t your fault. You were just a child and doing what you were told to do. I will come to terms with that, but please be patient with me. I am trying my hardest.”

“Wait a minute. Did you talk to Sage about me?”

“Yes. I needed another woman’s thoughts.”

“I see,” he said, realizing he was no different, having talked to William about her. “What about the fact I gave my father’s sword to Luke and took him along on my jobs? Doesn’t that bother you?”

She hesitated for a moment, then bit her lip and shook her head. “You were trying to save the memory of the only parent who cared for you. I understand that.”

“Yes, That’s right, I was.”

“And you are doing the best you can raising the boy. I know it isn’t easy.”

“I am,” he said, wondering why she was being so understanding all of a sudden. It almost made him feel guiltier than he did before.

“At least Luke doesn’t carry the sword around with him.” She seemed more settled with that thought.

“Nay, he doesn’t. Or at least not lately,” said Hunter, looking around the room wondering where the boy put the sword and hoping he hadn’t decided to flash it around to his friends again. He had told Luke to leave it in the room and by God he hoped the boy actually listened.

“Hunter, I was upset with you because you were ignoring me this morning. That is what started this all. After the wonderful night we spent together, I didn’t understand why you would treat me that way. It made me feel like you regretted what we did.”

“Nay, that’s not true.” He took her by the hands. “I don’t regret making love to you, Regina. I could never regret spending one minute with you. You are the kindest, smartest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I guess I just can’t understand why you would want someone like me at all.”

“Is that why you were ignoring me?” She looked up to him with her big hazel eyes, waiting for his honest answer.

“Partially,” he said softly.

“Oh, Hunter, I think I am falling in love with you and I need to know how you feel about me.”

“Regina, you have no idea how much I care for you.” He pulled her into his arms, kissing her atop the head. “I only tried to distance myself from you because I realized that I ruined you.”

“Ruined me? How so?”